| Author | Message | ||
     Paul56 |
Riding home tonight started hearing/feeling bad things from the rear wheel. Rode slow the last 15 miles. Removed the wheel and found the right left bearing disintegrating. Luckily no damage to the wheel and only slight rub spot on the bearing spacer. 41k total miles. 4th rear tire, which I always change myself. This one only ~3800 miles since late Nov. The bearings were fine at that time (the right one still is), but we've had about 11" of rain since then (supposed to be a dry La Nina year!) and I've ridden in much of it. There was about 2 Tbsp of water inside the hub when I got it apart! No puddles or stream crossings, just riding in the rain. This thing seriously needs better weather protection for the wheel bearings. 98k on my Suzuki VX800 and 86k on my Yamaha XS650 and all on the original bearings with no trouble. They both had cup-like shields that helped protect the outside of the bearings. Note to elves- HELP! | ||
| Jlnance |
Cheaper than OEM and most likely better too: http://www.applied.com/apps/commerce/catalog/catal og.do?e=10&s=4021061 | ||
| Teeps |
Paul56 Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 - This thing seriously needs better weather protection for the wheel bearings. I agree, a separate double lip seal with some separation between the sealing points would be preferable to the current sealed bearing. Has anyone looked up the application specs on the current wheel bearings? | ||
| Paul56 |
Got the new bearings in with no trouble, but noticed while doing so that the holes for the sprocket bolts are drilled through to the interior of the hub. Its another possible water path to the bearings, but from the inside. Next time I replace the tire I'll also r&r the sprocket and apply a thin bead of silicone around all the bolt holes. Thanks for the industrial source for the bearings. About $6 cheaper than dealer price. | ||
| Teeps |
Silicone and threads are a bad combination. Better to seal the threads with loctite or other thread sealant compound. | ||
| Jlnance |
Thanks for the industrial source for the bearings. About $6 cheaper than dealer price. You're welcome. I was assured that they were very good bearings. Hoping that's true. | ||
| Paul56 |
I'll still loctite the threads, just seal the mounting flange with silicone. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Has anyone looked up the application specs on the current wheel bearings? Teeps, we had an earlier thread on this with quite a bit of input from a mechanical engineer who specifies bearings for a living (I'm an M.E. too, but I don't have much experience in this area). IIRC, there basically isn't room for a bearing with more extensive seals without redesigning the wheel hub and/or swingarm. Regular inspections and periodic re-lubrication (by carefully prying out the seals, adding a little lubricant, and replacing the seals) were recommended to prolong bearing life. |
